|
AZNRaps –The last
time we spoke with you was back in 2002 around the time of your debut [click
here to read 2002 interview]. Six years later what’s changed? Both personal and
career wise..
Southstar – It’s been 6 years already? Man, time flies! I’ve
grown so much in the last 6 years homie. As far as personal, my son is 6 years
old now. He’s who I do everything for! I’m 6 years older and definitely a lot
wiser. Career wise, the game has changed so much. I’ve been thru so many label
and management issues in the past few years that my mind is so much stronger to
deal with all the bullshit that comes with this game. Plus I definitely have a
better sense of this business.
AZNRaps – Let’s take
a step back real quick. “Tell Me” was your first single. It was, and still is, the most popular song
from you guys. After that though it seems the buzz died and you guys slowly
withdrew from the public eye. As a result you guys dropped another single, but
it didn’t do as well. Agree, disagree? What are your thoughts on the matter?
Southstar –  “Tell Me” was huge for us! It’s a HIT RECORD! We
still go around performing it and to see the people still sing along with it
after all these years, it really shows how big that record was. 
“Tell Me” was huge for us! It’s a HIT RECORD! We
still go around performing it and to see the people still sing along with it
after all these years, it really shows how big that record was. To keep it
short it took us a year and a half to get released from Artist Direct with all
our masters. They folded in 2004 and since we were their highest selling artist
at the label, we were gonna do a second album with them under a new imprint. When
that fell thru we asked for our release. When we finally got our release, we
still had a deal in place with Transcontinental Records. The first album was a
joint deal between Transcontinental and Artist Direct. We started pushing a few
records but never really got the support from the label so the records kinda
came and went. We signed a new joint venture with Pure Records in the end of
2006 but then Transcontinental fell apart in the beginning of 2007. For that
story, you’ll have to Google it. That was a crazy situation! So we eventually
got our releases from Transcontinental and reworked out our deal with Pure
middle of last year. This business can be crazy I tell you!
 AZNRaps – A lot of
people called you guys a one-hit wonder; drop a dope track then disappear. What
went through your mind as all of this was happening? Did you think the group Smilez & Southstar was gonna break up? What
about support from your label?
Southstar – Really, I don’t pay no mind to what anyone else
has to say. I mean we are one-hit wonders, until we get our next hit! Simple as
that! The key for me was to always stay focused and think positively and get
around whatever obstacle was being thrown at me at the time.
AZNRaps – Well, the
past is the past. Since then, there was a lot of stuff going on, many projects
both group and solo work. What were you
up to in particular?
Southstar – Working on side projects and recording! I just
recently started working on my solo project and the group album is done with
the exception of maybe 2 songs that we’re gonna add to the album. I can’t do anything
about label issues but I can stay recording!
AZNRaps – I know you
connected with JimmyBoi over there in the South. Can we expect anything from
you two anytime soon?
Southstar – Most definitely! We are working on a mixtape
together. I promise it will be out soon! We’re gonna continue to push and
expand the Live 2 Hustle movement. So be on the lookout for projects all
throughout the year from JimmyBoi,
myself and our other artists.
AZNRaps – Let’s talk
about the new project. Smilez & Southstar’s sophomore album, “The
Reintroduction.” What’s with the title?
Southstar – I mean it is what it is. It’s been a minute for
us and plus we’ve grown so much personally and musically that we felt like we
needed to reintroduce who Smilez
& Southstar are to the public. It’s been a minute for
us and plus we’ve grown so much personally and musically that we felt like we
needed to reintroduce who Smilez
& Southstar are to the public. This album sounds nothing like the first
album. We put this album together from track selection to concepts to marketing
plans. We didn’t have much say the first time around so we feel like this is really
our first album! The songs are much more personal! Plus the younger hip hop
audience might not remember us so it’s only right that we reintroduce
ourselves!
AZNRaps – “U”
featuring KC. Is this the same KC from the hit group KC and Jojo that dominated
the charts in the 90s or am I just nuts?
Southstar – Lol! Nah it’s not the same KC from Jodeci. He’s actually an extremely talented
songwriter and upcoming R&B singer from Orlando. He’s written hooks such as
“Go Getta” for Young Jeezy, “Speedin” for Rick Ross & “All The Above” for
Beanie Sigel. He’s also working with Danjahandz on his upcoming project right
now. You’ll know who he is when it’s time I promise! He’s the truth!
 AZNRaps – Haha, damn,
it’s all good. Dude is talented. So let’s talk about “U.” The track is hot; I
can see it getting picked up quick. It’s doing pretty well. On your site it
says “‘U’ takes off where ‘Tell Me’ left off”. How so?
Southstar – The “U” record goes after the same audience we
had gotten with “Tell Me”. When it comes
to us, everyone seems to want another “Tell Me’. So we give them “U”!
AZNRaps – Comparing
this to your freshmen release “Crash the Party,” what’s different? What can we
expect from this latest installment? When will it be available? Where can we get
a copy?
Southstar – We’ve grown so much personally and musically.
You can hear the difference in the music. We’ve been thru so much since 2002 so
there are so many new experiences to talk about. The album should be available
sometime before the summer. It will be available in stores and online!
AZNRaps – Do you
think you’ve grown as artists over these last couple years? Learned from pass mistakes
and experiences? What will you do differently this second time around?
Southstar – I guess I answered this in the last question.
I’ve grown a ton since the last time most of you heard me. From the flow,
voice, arrangements and everything musically to learning how to market a
record, work radio, and everything on the business end. If there’s one thing I
learned the most, it is to be fully involved in all the decision making when it
comes to your career. No one can make decisions regarding your career better
than you can! If there’s one thing I
learned the most, it is to be fully involved in all the decision making when it
comes to your career. No one can make decisions regarding your career better
than you can!
AZNRaps – You
recently came back to our forums and posted up a couple tracks up. What’s your opinion on getting back to the
roots, getting feedback from users directly whether positive or negative?
Southstar – You know nowadays the internet is everything. It’s
always important to reach out to the people anyway possible. The feedback
definitely helps me in my decision making when it comes to picking a single or
what markets are best to attack for the project. Or just to see what people
think. I use it as guide!
 AZNRaps – The music
industry is changing. CDs are losing to the MP3 format. Are you guys worried?
Are you prepared? Maybe offer a MP3 album as well to hardcopy?
Southstar – You can’t be worried! You have to adapt with the
times. You gotta stay in touch with what’s
new! We will definitely offer the album digitally as well!
AZNRaps – Glad we can
connect again, let’s talk again sometime. But try not waiting another 6 years
buddy! Any last comments?
Southstar – Appreciate the love homie and thanks to everyone
for all their support both in the past and present. You can hit me at www.myspace.com/mistersouthstar!
One last thing, I love how far as Asian Americans we have come in the hip hop
community. Let’s not slow down now! Let’s get it! Much Love!
-----
Be sure to check out Southstar's MySpace at www.myspace.com/mistersouthstar
|
Interviews 
